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Raymond Yard citrine and gold jewelry suite, commissioned by Joan Crawford, $250,000. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions

Joan Crawford’s Raymond Yard jewelry suite earns $250K at Heritage

Sheila Gibson Stoodley
Sheila Gibson Stoodley
Raymond Yard citrine and gold jewelry suite, commissioned by Joan Crawford, $250,000. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions
Raymond Yard citrine and gold jewelry suite, commissioned by Joan Crawford, $250,000. Courtesy Heritage Auctions

DALLAS — Joan Crawford’s statement-making necklace, brooch and bracelet, which she commissioned from acclaimed jeweler Raymond Yard, realized $250,000 in Heritage Auctions‘ May 2 Spring Fine Jewelry event.

The dazzling citrine and gold jewelry suite was estimated at just $15,000-$20,000, but Crawford’s — and Yard’s — adoring fans made it clear the jewels were worth far more than that. When the set’s stunning final price was announced, the auction room erupted in applause.

The jewels are no stranger to the spotlight, however. Not only did Crawford wear them in the 1941 film When Ladies Meet and in a print ad for Royal Crown Cola, they also appeared in the 2007 book YARD: The Life and Magnificent Jewelry of Raymond C. Yard. The jeweler was a bit of a celebrity himself, earning renown among America’s elite for his exquisite Art Deco designs and the fine custom pieces he crafted for families such as the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers and du Ponts — and, of course, for Hollywood icons such as Crawford.

The Crawford-Yard collaboration was just one of the standouts in the auction, which totaled $5,357,995.

Gold necklace with 21.93-carat diamond, $300,000. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions
Gold necklace with 21.93-carat diamond, $300,000. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions

The event’s top lot, a diamond and gold necklace with a 21.93-carat stone, sold for $300,000, and a 19.02-carat diamond and platinum ring from the estate of businesswoman and artist Phyllis Rubin realized $237,500.

White gardenia resin ear clips by JAR, $20,000. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions
White gardenia resin ear clips by JAR, $20,000. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions

A bold and beautiful collection of ear clips by the Paris-based jeweler JAR also performed exceptionally well during the auction. Amassed during a decade by a fashion-savvy collector, the 20-piece collection represents the largest private assemblage of composite, titanium and aluminum JAR ear clips ever to have been offered at auction.

Pink pansy titanium ear clips by JAR, $27,500. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions
Pink pansy titanium ear clips by JAR, $27,500. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions

Two floral-inspired pairs by the exclusive jeweler were the top draws at the May 2 auction. A pair of pink pansy-themed titanium ear clips sold for $27,500, and a pair of white gardenia-themed clips made of resin realized $20,000.

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